AQW 15534/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 23/09/2024
Answered On Date: 08/10/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Assembly Commission whether it will consult with MLAs as part of its process in reviewing constituency office expenses.

Answer:

Over recent months and years, the Assembly Commission has had ongoing discussions about issues which could be included in a review of the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2016, as amended by the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) (Amendment) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2020, (‘the Determination’).

A number of policy changes relating to the Determination had already been agreed in principle by the Assembly Commission and, following further work over the Summer Recess, the Assembly Commission is currently finalising a new determination.

As is usual, the views of parties and Members have been contributed to the process through the elected Members of the Assembly Commission. Assembly Commission Members have reflected the experiences and issues raised with them by colleagues and the Assembly Commission has taken account of this feedback to seek to reach balanced outcomes which also take account of value for money and robust processes.